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This study aimed to determine the application methods of brassinosteroids (BR) as an alternative production system to improve plant growth and morpho-physiological characteristics of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), soya bean (Glycine max (L.)), and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Trials were laid out in a complete randomized block design, arranged in a 4 x 2 factorial design. Brassinosteroids (100 g) treatments followed preventative and corrective treatments, where the dry bean, soya bean, and groundnut (three legumes) seeds were treated with BR; BR through the foliar application, soil drenching BR, and the control (with no BR treatment). The effect time of BR treatment was two and four weeks. Results showed that BR significantly improved the yield and morpho-physiological characteristics of all legume crops in this study. The improvement of the morpho-physiological characteristics was attributed to the morphological and physiological parameters, where the increase in plant height, seedling fresh mass, seedling dry mass, root fresh mass, and root dry mass were ascribed to morphological parameters; photosynthetic and chlorophyll content parameters were ascribed to physiological parameters. Interestingly, the foliar application method was significantly (P = 0.05) better than the control in all parameters. Thus, the results confirmed that foliar BR has the potential to improve plant growth in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the location and stability of equilibrium points in the potential field of the the asteroid (87) Sylvia. The potential series expansion method is used, which involves decomposing the asteroid into homogeneous tetrahedral elements with a constant rotation speed. The results are compared with those obtained using the classical polyhedral method, and we found good agreement outside the body, even in close to its surface. Our model can be applied to any polyhedral-shaped body as it expresses the potential analytically, which makes it easier to manipulate algebraically for determining acceleration and velocity components. Moreover, it significantly reduces computational costs in terms of CPU time requirements, keeping the accuracy at a very acceptable level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fossils from the Araripe Basin (northeastern Brazil) are known for their remarkable preservation of vertebrates and invertebrates, even including soft tissues. They occur in carbonate concretions within organic carbon‐rich strata assigned to the Romualdo Formation. Here we present integrated stable isotope, elemental and microfossil records from the Sítio Sobradinho outcrop, Araripe Basin, northeastern Brazil. Our results imply that black shales hosting fossil‐bearing carbonate concretions within the lower Romualdo Formation were deposited during Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE) 1b (Kilian sub‐event). Our high‐resolution multi‐proxy approach allows identifying four phases of environmental evolution. After a pre‐event phase, an early phase (onset of the negative carbon isotope excursion—nCIE) of water column stratification and reduced oxygenation likely preconditioned the system for organic carbon burial and preservation. A second phase (peak nCIE) was characterized by an intensified hydrological cycle and continental runoff, as well as increased influx of terrestrial organic matter. High input of continent‐derived nutrients might have enhanced biological productivity in the epicontinental sea, ultimately leading to increased organic carbon fluxes and burial, as well as carbonate dissolution at the seafloor. All together, these paleoenvironmental conditions resulted in expansion of an oxygen minimum zone (OMZ), favoring taphonomic processes that led to the excellent preservation of diverse macro‐ and microfossils. The nCIE recovery phase was characterized by reduced nutrient supply and organic carbon burial. Organic carbon sequestration in such paleoenvironments likely contributed to the recovery (increase) of stable carbon isotope (δ13C) records in the deep ocean during the Kilian sub‐event of OAE 1b. Plain Language Summary: Fossils, such as fishes and pterosaurs, from the Araripe Basin (northeastern Brazil) are known for their remarkable preservation, even including soft tissues. We used geochemical proxies and paleontological data to show that this remarkable preservation occurred during an interval of the Cretaceous characterized by reduced oxygen content in ocean waters, worldwide known as Oceanic Anoxic Event 1b, at about 113 million years ago. Our results suggest that a zone of minimum oxygenation expanded in the shallow sea of the Araripe Basin, preconditioning the system for organic carbon burial and preservation. Additionally, wetter climate conditions under a greenhouse climate state increased riverine input of nutrients and carbon to the "Araripe Sea." In a broader sense, our results suggest that shallow seas were fundamental in sequestering carbon during warmer‐than‐modern climate states. Key Points: New late Aptian‐early Albian multi‐proxy records from Araripe Basin, South AmericaEpicontinental seas were efficient in sequestering light carbon during in warm climatesOceanic Anoxic Event 1b favored phosphatization and bottom‐water taphonomic processes in Araripe Basin [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamins play an essential role in broiler nutrition. They are fundamental for normal metabolic and physiological process, and their requirements for poultry are not fixed and can be affected by multiple factors. In contrast, mycotoxins are a challenging issue because they hinder performance and the immune system. Vitamin supplementation above minimum requirements would permit improvement in productive potential, health, bone and meat quality in a situation of mycotoxin challenge. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of optimum vitamin nutrition in diets contaminated with aflatoxin in broilers from 1 to 44 days of age. A total of 1800 Cobb 500 male chicks were randomized to 15 sets of eight treatment groups, each containing 15 birds using a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design (commercial vitamin levels and high vitamin levels, two levels of aflatoxin – 0 and 0.5 ppm with binder levels of 0 and 10 000 mg/kg). The mash diets were corn and soybean meal based, formulated according to commercial practices. Feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion were analyzed for birds from 1 to 44 days of age. To determine carcass characteristics (carcass yield, breast yield and leg yield) and black bone syndrome, two birds were slaughtered from each group at 45 days. Other analyses included breast tenderness, water loss by dripping and malonaldehyde concentrations. The results demonstrated that broilers that were fed high levels of vitamins showed better weight gain, feed conversion, carcass yield and breast yield than broilers that were fed diets with commercial vitamin levels (P < 0.05); also, broilers that were fed diets containing 0.5 ppm aflatoxin had lower weight gain, carcass yield and breast yield (P < 0.05). The use of 10 000 mg/kg of binder improved (P < 0.05) feed conversion throughout the rearing period. We conclude that aflatoxin negatively affects performance and carcass yield; however, feeding optimum vitamin nutrition improved these performance traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Eletrônica de Materiais e Processos is the property of Revista Eletronica de Materiaia e Processos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Fungi of the genus Alternaria are ubiquitous indoor and outdoor airborne agents, and individuals are daily exposed to their spores. Although its importance in human infections and, particularly in respiratory allergies, there are no studies of how Alternaria spp. spores interact with host cells. Our aim was to study the early interaction of Alternaria infectoria spores with macrophages, the first line of immune defense. RAW 264.7 macrophages were infected with A. infectoria conidia, and the internalization and viability of conidia once inside the macrophages were quantified during the first 6 h of interaction. Live cell imaging was used to study the dynamics of this interaction. TNF-α production was quantified by relative gene expression, and the concentration of other cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-4, IL-10, IL-17, GM-CSF and INF-γ) and a chemokine, MIP-1α, was quantified by ELISA. Conidia were rapidly internalized by macrophages, with approximately half internalized after 30 min of interaction. During the first 6 h of interaction, macrophages retained the ability to mitotically divide while containing internalized conidia. The classical macrophage-activated morphology was absent in macrophages infected with conidia, and TNF-α and other cytokines and chemokines failed to be produced. Thus, macrophages are able to efficiently phagocyte A. infectoria conidia, but, during the first 6 h, no effective antifungal response is triggered, therefore promoting the residence of these fungal conidia inside the macrophages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ceramica is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Ceramica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hybridization is a widespread phenomenon present in numerous lineages across the tree of life. Its evolutionary consequences range from effects on the origin and maintenance, to the loss of biodiversity.We studied genetic diversity and intra‐ and interspecific gene flow between two sympatric populations of closely‐related species, Pitcairnia flammea and P. corcovadensis (Bromeliaceae), which are adapted to naturally fragmented Neotropical inselbergs, based on nuclear and plastidial DNA.Our main results indicate a strong reproductive isolation barrier, although low levels of interspecific gene flow were observed in both sympatric populations. The low rates of intraspecific gene flow observed for both P. corcovadensis and P. flammea populations corroborate the increasing body of evidence that inselberg bromeliad species are maintained as discrete evolutionary units despite the presence of low genetic connectivity. Nuclear patterns of genetic diversity and gene flow revealed that hybridization and introgression might not cause species extinction via genetic assimilation of the rare P. corcovadensis.In the face of reduced intraspecific gene exchange, hybridization and introgression may be important aspects of the Pitcairnia diversification process, with a positive evolutionary impact at the bromeliad community level, and thus contribute to increasing and maintaining genetic diversity in local isolated inselberg populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agro Productividad is the property of Colegio de Postgraduados and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim To characterize the pulp immune cell profile in the teeth of rats treated with zoledronic acid (ZA). Methodology Male Wistar rats (n = 6 per group) received four intravenous infusions of ZA at doses of 0.04, 0.20 or 1.00 mg kg−1 ZA or saline (control). On the 70th experimental day, they were euthanized. The first right molar was examined microscopically and submitted to toluidine blue reaction and immunohistochemical for CD68, tumour necrosis Factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nuclear factor kappa B (NF- kB) and IL-18 binding protein (IL-18 bp). The presence of ectasic/dilated vessels and inflammatory cells was analysed, and mast cells and mononuclear CD68-positive cells were counted along with the intensity of immunostaining (0-3) for inflammatory markers in odontoblasts and nonodontoblasts pulp cells. The Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn's test (scores or quantitative data) and the chi-squared test (categorical data) were used (GraphPad Prism 5.0, P < 0.05). Results There was no differences in the number of animals exhibiting dilated/ectasic blood vessels (P = 0.242) and inflammatory cells (P = 0.489) or in the number of mast cells (P = 1.000). However, there was an increase in mononuclear CD68-positive cells ( P = 0.026), immunostaining of TNF-α (P = 0.020), IL-1β (P = 0.027) and iNOS (P = 0.001) in odontoblasts, and IL-1β (P = 0.013) in nonodontoblast pulp cells dose-dependently. NFkB (nucleus and cytoplasm) and IL-18 bp did not differ between groups. Conclusion ZA modified the immune cell profile in the dental pulp, increasing the number of macrophages and expression of pro-inflammatory markers independent of NFkB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sepsis is a prevalent disease worldwide and still exhibits high rates of mortality. In the last years, many interventions aiming a positive impact on sepsis evolution have been studied. One of the main is the use of managed care protocols (sepsis bundles), which consist in systematization of diagnosis and treatment, such as standardization of antibiotics, collection of specific tests (cultures, lactate), and fluid replacement. Some studies have shown a reduction in hospital costs and lower mortality with the use of these tools. In the present study, we evaluated the impact of a sepsis bundle in wards of a tertiary hospital. Methods: One hundred sixty-seven patients were retrospectively studied. The intervention was called “3-h bundle” and consisted of collecting lactate and cultures, start broad-spectrum antibiotics in the first hour of sepsis diagnosis, and volume replacement with crystalloid if hypotension or lactate ≥2 mmol/L. Results: The overall mortality was 31.1%. Individuals who received the 3-h bundle showed a 44% lower mortality in comparison with who did not (25.6 vs. 45.7%; p = 0.01). Furthermore, the use of the sepsis bundle was independently correlated with lower mortality (OR = 0.175; CI = 0.04–0.64; p = 0.009). Therefore, a lower need for ICU admission and shorter length of stay in these units were observed in patients who received the intervention. Conclusion: The use of a sepsis protocol with systematic care in wards was associated with lower mortality, less need for ICU admission and shorter stay on these units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a relevant disease in feline clinic. The tubulointerstitial damage, with collagen deposition and fibrosis, is an important result of this process. The aim of this study was to quantify and correlate the deposition of collagen and severity of interstitial fibrosis (IF) in the kidney from cats in different stages of CKD. Kidney fragments from 10 adult cats with CKD were analyzed and stained by Masson's trichrome (MT) and Picrosirius red (PSR) for circular polarized microscopy. Random quantitative analysis was performed on MT sections to classify the degree of IF, per field area, with and without circular polarization. Statistics correlations were performed by Spearman's ( ρ; p < .05). There was a significant correlation of IF quantification with the area of interstitial collagen deposition by polarized PSR (PSRp) ( r = .7939, p = .0098) and nonpolarized PSR (PSR n) ( r = .7781, p = .0080). There was a positive correlation of serum creatinine (sCr) at different stages of CKD with PSRp ( r = .7939, p = .0098), PSRn ( r = .8667, p = .0027) and MT ( r = .7818, p = .0117). Correlations between the percentage of quantified area was also positive from PSRp to PSRn ( r = .9030, p = .0009) and PSRp to MT ( r = .7939, p = .0098). The PSRN was also correlated with MT ( r = .9273, p = .0001). The correlation with IF and sCr follows the disease evolution and the quantification of collagen by PSR is an excellent tool for analyzing the disease severity at different stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a field survey carried out on symptomatic maritime pine trees ( Pinus pinaster) in Góis, central Portugal, Bursaphelenchus luxuriosae was isolated for the first time in Portugal, and in Europe. Identification of the nematodes was based on morphological characters and molecular analyses for this species. The general morphology of both females and males is in agreement with the original description for B. luxuriosae, namely the typical morphology of the male spicules and the conspicuous morphology of female tail. Species identification was confirmed through sequencing of the ITS rDNA region and the fragment spanning the D2/D3 domain of the 28S rDNA gene. This species belongs to the xylophilus-group and is the third species in this group known in Portugal. The nematodes were retrieved in small numbers (<100 nematodes/100 g dry wood), and no insect vector association could be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims The main goal was to estimate the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus on hands and in nose of health care professionals. Methods and Results Detection of Staph. aureus on hands or in the nose of 169 individuals was performed. Nasal and hand carriage was found in 39·6 and in 8·9% respectively. About 17·2% of the individuals were carriers of methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus (MRSA) in the nose and 4·7% on hands. The majority of nasal MRSA were resistant to β-lactams, erythromycin and ciprofloxacin. All nasal MRSA were SCC mec type IV and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) negative. One MRSA isolated from hand was SCC mec type V. About 75·6% of MRSA isolates presented the same or closely related restriction patterns. Sixty per cent of Staph. aureus from hands and from noses from the same individual were the same strain. Conclusions MRSA nasal carriage was high considering healthy health care professionals but in accordance with high level of MRSA infection in Portugal. Isolates recovered in this study seemed to be different from major clones previously isolated in other Portuguese hospitals. Significance and Impact of the Study These findings may have implications on the knowledge of healthy health care workers as vehicles of MRSA infections among the community. Presence of several virulence factors may contribute to increased pathogenesis in case of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge regarding the marine phase of twaite shad (Alosa fallax (Lace'pe`de, 1803)) and allis shad (Alosa alosa (Linnaeus, 1758)) remains limited. To understand the coastal and continental distribution and dynamic of migration of these species, in the present study we collected official data records of marine landings (kg), separated according to species, for all fish markets in Galicia (north-west of the Iberian Peninsula) and undertook freshwater field sampling campaigns. The findings indicate that both species of shad exhibit a coastal distribution near the rivers where they spawn, namely the Minho and Ulla rivers. Catches at sea declined from January, a phenomenon that can be understood as the onset of migration to the rivers. Bycatch reports are important because both A. fallax and A. alosa are listed in the AnnexV of the European Union Habitats Directive, which lists animal species whose exploitation and taking in the wild may be subject to management measures. However, for a better management of these species it is necessary to understand the magnitude of displacements and connection of shad populations at sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2005, a new phase for primary health care (PHC) in Portugal began, leading to the voluntary and independent creation of Family Health Units. The impact of this reform is now being witnessed, which justifies the need to evaluate its results as far as best practices in PHC are concerned. This work uses a value-based data envelopment analysis (DEA) method, which combines an additive DEA model with multi-criteria decision analysis concepts, to allow incorporating managerial preferences in the performance assessment of 12 health centres in a Portuguese region. Two models are presented for evaluating access to PHC, which resulted from discussions with a group of decision makers. This analysis helped the decision makers in the identification of best practices, sources of inefficiency and gaps relatively to the best practices, thus leading to shape opportunities for improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To evaluate the relationship between mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate and the expression of a proliferative immunomarker (Ki-67) as well as to evaluate basement membrane and extracellular matrix proteins (laminin and collagen type IV) in radicular cysts and dentigerous cysts ( DC). Methodology Immunohistochemical analyses were performed in heavily inflamed radicular cysts ( HIRC), slightly inflamed radicular cysts ( SIRC) and DC ( n = 20) using Ki-67 (Dako®, 1 : 50), anticollagen type IV ( DBS®, 1 : 40) and antilaminin ( DBS®, 1 : 20). The data were analysed using anova/Tukey's test (Ki-67) and Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn's test (collagen type IV and laminin) ( P < 0.05). Results The immunoexpression of Ki-67 was significantly greater in the SIRC group compared with the HIRC and DC ( P = 0.0040). Likewise, the immunoexpression of collagen type IV in the basement membrane of the SIRC group was significantly more continuous ( P = 0.0475) than in the HIRC group. DC had significantly less collagen type IV in extracellular matrix immunoexpression than HIRC and SIRC ( P = 0.0246). Laminin was absent in the basement membrane in the SIRC and DC groups, and the extracellular matrix of the HIRC was weak and punctate. Conclusion The presence of inflammatory factors in the radicular cyst wall modified the expression of proliferation factors in the epithelial lining and the expression of collagen type IV and laminin in the basement membrane, but did not modify extracellular matrix behaviour in radicular cysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Samples of anadromous Alosa alosa (Clupeidae) ( n = 163) and Alosa fallax (Clupeidae) ( n = 223), caught in Western Iberian Peninsula Rivers from 2008 to 2013, were examined for buccal, branchial and internal macroparasites, which were identified using morphological and molecular methods. Alosa alosa were infected with Anisakis simplex s.s., Anisakis pegreffii, Hysterothylacium aduncum, Rhadinorhynchus pristis, Mazocraes alosae, Hemiurus appendiculatus, Ceratothoa italica and an unidentified ergasilid copepod. Ceratothoa italica represents a new host record for A. alosa. Alosa fallax were infected with A. simplex s.s., A. pegreffii, H. aduncum, H. appendiculatus, Clavellisa emarginata and an unidentified cymothoid isopod. This is the first report of C. italica, C. emarginata and M. alosae in the Iberian Peninsula. The phylogenetic positions of M. alosae, H. appendiculatus and C. emarginata were assessed using 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA (rRNA); our contributions provide a better understanding of the phylogenetic relationships within their groups. Qualitative and quantitative differences in the parasite faunas of these two shad species are consistent with different feeding strategies. The results provide information about host migration behaviour and transmission pathways through diet during the marine trophic phase of the shad's life cycle and their roles as paratenic or final hosts and transporters of parasites between seawater and freshwater environments. The zoonotic parasites A. simplex s.s. and A. pegreffii pose a risk for consumers or riverine mammals (e.g. European otter). The use of parasites as biological tags for shad stocks in Western Iberian Rivers could be a useful approach in multidisciplinary studies concerning fish stock delimitation and characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differencing between green cover and grape canopy is a challenge for vigour status evaluation in viticulture. This paper presents the acquisition methodology of very high-resolution images (4 cm), using a Sensefly Swinglet CAM unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and their processing to construct a 3D digital surface model (DSM) for the creation of precise digital terrain models (DTM). The DTM was obtained using python processing libraries. The DTM was then subtracted to the DSM in order to obtain a differential digital model (DDM) of a vineyard. In the DDM, the vine pixels were then obtained by selecting all pixels with an elevation higher than 50 [cm] above the ground level. The results show that it was possible to separate pixels from the green cover and the vine rows. The DDM showed values between -0.1 and + 1.5 [m]. A manually delineation of polygons based on the RGB image belonging to the green cover and to the vine rows gave a highly significant differences with an average value of 1.23 [m] and 0.08 [m] for the vine and the ground respectively. The vine rows elevation is in good accordance with the topping height of the vines 1.35 [m] measured on the field. This mask could be used to analyse images of the same plot taken at different times. The extraction of only vine pixels will facilitate subsequent analyses, for example, a supervised classification of these pixels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Red blood cells ( RBC) and platelet ( PLT) antigens genotyping is a useful tool applied to solve complex immunohaematologic cases, perform alloimmunization prophylaxis and search for rare blood donors. There are different high-throughput platforms available for RBC and PLT genotyping, which differ in terms of comprised antigens, length of reaction, result interpretation and cost. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of two high-throughput platforms designed for RBC and PLT genotyping: OpenArray (customized Real-time platform) and BLOODchip (Luminex technology). Materials and Methods Blood samples of 242 blood donors were simultaneously tested using OpenArray and BLOODchip ( ID-Core XT and ID- HPA XT) platforms. The methodologies were compared in terms of accuracy, duration of reaction, percentage of no-calls, number of samples processed per reaction and interpretation software. The designed OpenArray assay comprised 37 single nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNPs) encoding 31 RBC antigens and six PLT antigens, while the BLOODchip comprised 29 SNPs encoding erythrocyte antigens ( ID -Core XT) and 12 SNPs encoding PLT antigens ( ID- HPA XT). Results The OpenArray accuracy was 99·93%, and BLOODchip accuracy, 100%. The percentage of no-calls did not differ between the methodologies. OpenArray was less time-consuming when performing both RBC and PLT genotyping, whereas BLOODchip presented proper software for results interpretation and allowed the evaluation of individuals samples per reaction. Conclusion Both OpenArray and BLOODchip methodologies are accurate and suitable for RBC and PLT genotyping. The choice between the platforms relies on the service genotyping goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pinewood nematode ( PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is the causal agent of pine wilt disease. This species has been reported from the United States of America and Asia associated with important forestry tree species, including pine, spruce, fir, larch and other conifers. However, in Europe, the devastating epidemics centred in Portugal's mainland, and the most recent detections in Madeira Island and in Spain were restricted to Pinus pinaster alone. During the 2013 national survey, wilted Pinus nigra trees, from the central region of Portugal, were sampled. A Bursaphelenchus species was found in very high numbers, with an average up to 5000 nematodes per 10 g of wood, collected from different pine trees. Morphological identification of those specimens, including the presence of a bursa in the male tail, four lateral incisures, shape of spicules, presence of a vulva flap and female rounded tail, was in agreement with the PWN description. Species identification was confirmed also using species-specific primers targeting the ITS region of the ribosomal DNA to the PWN. Herein, B. xylophilus is reported for the first time associated with declining P. nigra in Portugal, and in Europe. Simultaneously, the insect vector Monochamus galloprovincialis was also detected colonizing the PWN-infected P. nigra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2013 annual monitoring programme for the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, analysed a total of 267 wood samples collected from declining or symptomatic coniferous trees distributed among national forests, gardens, public parks, distribution centres, wood-processing industries, as well as 104 samples collected from wood packing material originated from several other countries. From a total of eight species found, five have been previously reported from Romania, while three other species ( Bursaphelenchus abietinus, Bursaphelenchus fraudulentus and Bursaphelenchus fuchsi) represent new findings for Romania. In addition, B. mucronatus was found in packing wood originated from Russia. Herein, we provide a morphological, morphometric and molecular characterization for the new species found for Romania. Bursaphelenchus xylophilus was not detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spawning individuals of allis shad, Alosa alosa (Linnaeus, 1758), and twaite shad, Alosa fallax (Lacépède, 1803), were sampled from three rivers on the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula (Ulla, Minho, Mondego) during 2008 to 2013 to assess the presence of the zoonotic marine parasite Anisakis spp. larvae. The results revealed that both shad species were infected by third-larval stage Anisakis simplex s.s. and Anisakis pegreffii. The latter is reported in mixed infections in both shad species of Western Iberian Peninsula for the first time. In A. alosa, the prevalence of Anisakis infection can reach 100 %, while in A. fallax, prevalence was up to 83 %. Infected individuals of the former species also often contain much higher number of parasites in theirs internal organs and flesh: from 1 to 1138 Anisakis spp. larvae as compared to 1 to 121 larvae, respectively. In general, numbers of A. pegreffii were higher than those of A. simplex s.s. Our results suggest that in the marine environment of the Western Iberian Peninsula, both anadromous shad species act as paratenic hosts for A. simplex s.s. and A. pegreffii, thus widening the distribution of the infective nematode larvae from the marine to the freshwater ecosystem. This finding is of great epidemiological relevance for wildlife managers and consumers, considering the zoonotic and gastroallergic threats posed of these parasites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We investigated whether food frequency questionnaire ( FFQ) may be indicative of the serum composition of essential n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in early pregnancy and if correlations are affected by body mass index ( BMI). Methods The present study comprised a prospective cohort conducted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The sample was composed of 248 women, aged 20-40 years, between 6 and the 13 weeks of gestation. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated FFQ. Fatty acid serum compositions were determined in fasting serum samples, employing a high-throughput robotic direct methylation coupled with fast gas-liquid chromatography. Spearman's correlation ( rs) was used to assess the relationship between fatty acid intake and corresponding serum composition. Women were classified according to BMI (kg m-2) as underweight/normal weight ( BMI < 25 kg m-2; n = 139) or excessive weight ( BMI ≥ 25 kg m-2; n = 109). Results In the total sample, dietary report was significantly correlated with the serum composition of total polyunsaturated fatty acid ( PUFA; rs = 0.232, P < 0.001), linoleic acid ( LA; 18:2 n-6; rs = 0.271, P < 0.001), eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA; 20:5 n-3; rs = 0.263, P < 0.001) and docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA; 22:6 n-3; rs = 0.209, P = 0.001). When analyses were stratified by BMI, significant correlations between FFQ and serum composition among underweight/normal weight women were observed for total PUFA ( rs= 0.323, P < 0.001), LA ( rs = 0.322, P < 0.001), EPA ( rs = 0.352, P < 0.001) and DHA ( rs = 0.176, P = 0.039). Among women of excessive weight, significant correlations were observed only for alpha linolenic acid ( ALA; 18:3 n-3; rs = 0.199, P = 0.040) and DHA ( rs = 0.236, P = 0.014). Conclusions FFQ in early pregnancy may be used as a possible indicator of serum concentrations of fatty acids. Higher correlations were observed among underweight/normal weight women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selection of Quarter Horses for different purposes has led to the formation of lines, including racing and cutting horses. The objective of this study was to identify genomic regions divergently selected in racing line of Quarter Horses in relation to cutting line applying relative extended haplotype homozygosity (REHH) analysis, an extension of extended haplotype homozygosity (EHH) analysis, and the fixation index (FST) statistic. A total of 188 horses of both sexes, born between 1985 and 2009 and registered at the Brazilian Association of Quarter Horse Breeders, including 120 of the racing line and 68 of the cutting line, were genotyped using single nucleotide polymorphism arrays. On the basis of 27 genomic regions identified as selection signatures by REHH and FST statistics, functional annotations of genes were made in order to identify those that could have been important during formation of the racing line and that could be used subsequently for the development of selection tools. Genes involved in muscle growth (n=8), skeletal growth (n=10), muscle energy metabolism (n=15), cardiovascular system (n=14) and nervous system (n=23) were identified, including the FKTN, INSR, GYS1, CLCN1, MYLK, SYK, ANG, CNTFR and HTR2B. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) are lethal parasites of insects, used as biocontrol agents. The objectives of this work were to survey the presence of EPN in continental Portugal and to characterize the different species. Of the 791 soil samples collected throughout continental Portugal, 53 were positive for EPN. Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora were the two most abundant species. Analysis of EPN geographical distribution revealed an association between nematode species and vegetation type. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora was mostly found in the Alentejo region while S. feltiae was present in land occupied by agriculture with natural vegetation, broadleaved forest, mixed forest and transitional woodland-shrub, agro-forestry areas, complex cultivated patterns and non-irrigated arable land. Although no clear association was found between species and soil type, S. feltiae was typically recovered from cambisols and H. bacteriophora was more abundant in lithosols. Sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region indicated that S. feltiae was the most abundant species, followed by H. bacteriophora. Steinernema intermedium and S. kraussei were each isolated from one site and Steinernema sp. from two sites. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS, D2D3 expansion region of the 28S rRNA gene, as well as mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COXI) and cytochrome b (cytb) genes, was performed to evaluate the genetic diversity of S. feltiae and H. bacteriophora. No significant genetic diversity was found among H. bacteriophora isolates. However, COXI seems to be the best marker to study genetic diversity of S. feltiae. This survey contributes to the understanding of EPN distribution in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first report and characterization of Bursaphelenchus pinophilus in Portugal. This species was isolated from a young dying Pinus pinaster tree located in Valverde, in the Alentejo region. Nematodes were identified using several morphological diagnostic characters for this species (male spicule structure, number of lateral incisures, number and distribution of the male papillae, presence of female vulval flap and female tail shape) and confirmed using RFLP analysis of the internal transcribed spacer ( ITS) regions of ribosomal DNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen mass transfer from air to the liquid phase in bioreactors with aerobic cultures has long been a serious impairment to the productivity of various bioprocesses. An increase of the oxygen mass transfer rate (OTR) can be the key to overcome oxygen limitation. The influence of higher air pressure on OTR was measured and a significantly enhanced OTR could be obtained. The oxygen volumetric mass transfer coefficient ( kL a) was described by a function of the air pressure in a stirred lab-scale pressurized bioreactor. The correlation obtained proved that kL a slightly decreased with higher air pressure, following a power function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An overview of the genus Bursaphelenchus in the Czech Republic is presented, based on a recent survey for monitoring the presence of the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, as well as on previous reports of this genus in the country. In addition, we provide a morphological and molecular characterization of four Bursaphelenchus species ( B. eremus, B. pinophilus, B. vallesianus and B. borealis) found during the monitoring programme for forest pests, conducted during 2006-2010, within the Moravian and Bohemian regions. Nematodes were extracted from over 1917 insects and 1493 wood samples collected from deciduous and coniferous trees exhibiting wilting and declining symptoms. Bursaphelenchus species were found only in 0.73% of insects and 0.47% of the total number of wood samples. Bursaphelenchus borealis and B. pinophilus dauer juveniles were found associated with the insect vectors Dryocetes autographus and Pityogenes bidentatus, respectively. While a total of seven Bursaphelenchus species are now reported from the Czech Republic, the status of B. xylophilus remains as absent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The pinewood nematode ( PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is a serious quarantine pest first detected in Portugal and Europe in 1999. It is the causal agent of pine wilt disease ( PWD). A resistance breeding programme has been initiated to contribute to control the evolution of the disease. Five hundred and four adult maritime pine, Pinus pinaster, trees were phenotypically selected as candidate trees for this programme from an area affected by PWD. To identify tolerance to the nematode, the selected trees were monitored monthly. Over the course of 1 year, 57 candidate trees died and were tested for the presence/absence of the PWN. As accuracy of detection is of major importance, an ITS- PCR-based method applied directly to wood from adult maritime pine trees was tested and compared with a standard morphological identification method. The results showed that the use of PCR to detect the pathogen provided more rapid and accurate results in comparison with the standard morphological identification. Thus, this method is suitable to be used in the survey of the breeding population for resistance/tolerance to PWD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Psicologia GEPU is the property of Universidad del Valle and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The environmental conditions in Madeira Island are favorable for the presence and dissemination of the pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Five hundred Pinus pinaster wood samples were collected in several forest areas and PWN was detected in 22.8 % of the samples. Bursaphelenchus xylophilus isolates from Madeira Island displayed the species-specific diagnostic characters. A morphological variation in the female tail terminus was detected. In most females, the tail presented a broadly rounded terminus and, occasionally, a digitate terminus with a terminal nipple-like extension resembling a mucro. PCR ITS-RFLP analysis revealed that Madeira Island isolates exhibited patterns specific to the species B. xylophilus and similar to virulent isolates. Amplified ITS regions were further sequenced and no genetic diversity was found for this genomic region among 17 Portuguese isolates (Madeira Island and Continental Portugal). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Portuguese isolates grouped with isolates from China, Korea and one isolate from Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the mechanism(s) underlying menopauserelated sarcopenia remain unknown we aimed to investigate the role of physical inactivity in its etiology. Ovariectomized and sham-operated rats were allocated into 2 experimental groups: 1) sedentary-standard housing; and 2) exercisehoused with running wheel. After a 9-month experimental period, soleus muscle structure and biochemical properties were analyzed. No diff erences existed in muscle fi bre size or ultrastructure between sedentary sham and ovariectomized animals housed in standard conditions. In the exercise groups, average daily running distance was 10-fold less in ovariectomized compared to sham-animals. Further, in exercised animals, soleus fi bre size was smaller in ovariectomized compared to sham-animals. Nonetheless, compared to both sedentary groups, muscle fi bre size was larger in the exercised ovariectomized animals. Our results indicate that ovariectomy- induced sarcopenia is not due to the loss of ovarian hormones per se, but is largely due to physical inactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barbosa M, Lopes A, Mota C, Martins E, Oliveira J, Alves S, De Bonis P, do Céu Mota M, Dias C, Rodrigues-Santos P, Fortuna AM, Quelhas D, Lacerda L, Bisceglia L, Cardoso ML. Clinical, biochemical and molecular characterization of Cystinuria in a cohort of 12 patients. Cystinuria is a rare autosomal inherited disorder characterized by impaired transport of cystine and dibasic aminoacids in the proximal renal tubule. Classically, Cystinuria is classified as type I (silent heterozygotes) and non-type I (heterozygotes with urinary hyperexcretion of cystine). Molecularly, Cystinuria is classified as type A (mutations on SLC3A1 gene) and type B (mutations on SLC7A9 gene). The goal of this study is to provide a comprehensive clinical, biochemical and molecular characterization of a cohort of 12 Portuguese patients affected with Cystinuria in order to provide insight into genotype-phenotype correlations. We describe seven type I and five non-type I patients. Regarding the molecular classification, seven patients were type A and five were type B. In SLC3A1 gene, two large genomic rearrangements and 13 sequence variants, including four new variants c.611-2A>C; c.1136+44G>A; c.1597T (p.Y533N); c.*70A>G, were found. One large genomic rearrangement was found in SLC7A9 gene as well as 24 sequence variants including 3 novel variants: c.216C>T (p.C72C), c.1119G>A (p.S373S) and c.*82C>T. In our cohort the most frequent pathogenic mutations were: large rearrangements (33.3% of mutant alleles) and a missense mutation c.1400T>C ( p.M467T) (11.1%). This report expands the spectrum of SLC3A1 and SLC7A9 mutations and provides guidance in the clinical implementation of molecular assays in routine genetic counseling of Portuguese patients affected with Cystinuria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the study regarding the status of the Allis shad (Alosa alosa) in Mino River, Portugal. The study employed materials and methods which include selection of estuary and spawning sampling stations, calculation of the gonadosomatic index (GSI) of fish gonads and the removal and treatment of the scales of A. alosa. Results show that available habitat for the freshwater migration of A. alosa is 80 kilometers (kM) of the Mino River.